OUR DC-8 IS TRANSPORTING CRITICAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO EASTERN EUROPE TO AID UKRAINIAN MEDICAL FACILITIES STRUGGLING WITH SHORTAGES IN THE MIDST OF CONFLICT.
The Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 aircraft departed Greensboro, North Carolina, today carrying nearly 15 tons of critically-needed supplies and medicine for Ukrainian hospitals experiencing vast shortages amid growing need.
Stressed medical facilities have requested essentials such as pharmaceuticals, bandages, IV supplies, antiseptic solutions, surgical supplies, and materials for casting and splinting broken bones. All of these are onboard our DC-8.
Medical needs among displaced people in Ukraine continue to grow as families flee for safety. We are seeing patients at our 58-bed emergency field hospital on the outskirts of Lviv and at our 24-hour clinic (triage/stabilisation) at the train station in the heart of the city.
A third medical outpost, an emergency outpatient clinic, is being constructed in southern Ukraine.
Medical Care for Weary Travellers
Many patients have been directly impacted by the conflict—including some who’ve arrived with shrapnel and gunshot wounds. Others are travellers with medical conditions made more dangerous by the strain of the evacuations.
Pregnant women are among the thousands fleeing.
In addition to emergency medicine and trauma surgeries, our field hospital is equipped to provide OB/GYN services for prenatal care, deliveries, and recovery.
One woman, seven months pregnant, fled fighting in Kharkiv and came to us for reassurance and a comforting word from our medical staff. In the chaos of her evacuation, her unborn child had become unusually still. She arrived at our field hospital clearly worried about his health.
When she heard his heartbeat on our ultrasound machine, she cried with relief. Our nurses reassured her that he was still healthy and growing. She was given prenatal vitamins, a warm meal, and encouraged to come back for any further care she might need.
“They have been asking us for these things, and we prayed to have them. God sent you to us.”
Providing Emergency Relief
Additionally, we are providing blankets and hygiene kits to be distributed to displaced Ukrainians through church partners
Alex, a local pastor in Lviv, said the work of Samaritan’s Purse is helping to strengthen their efforts to care for their hurting people in Jesus’ Name.
“We were not prepared for this [conflict], but we decided that this is the time for the church to be the church. We want our actions to glorify God, and we pray that we will even be a witness to those on the other side of the conflict,” Pastor Alex told our teams. “We want the Lord to shine not just in Ukraine but in every part of this region.”
He added: “What you are bringing is perfect for us. These are things the refugees can take with them for the rest of the journey. They have been asking us for these things, and we prayed to have them. God sent you to us.”
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